As a lifelong resident of central Vermont, and a 5^th generation Vermonter, Ira’s love for the outdoors was instilled in him by his dad who let him tag along on trips to fish and hunt. In fact, his grandfather was a Vermont Game Warden in the 1930’s. In 2011, he retired from the State of Vermont, having worked as the Director of Financial Operations for several departments.  He still contracts with the State for financial consulting in his spare time.

His Green Mountain Club membership spans at least 35 years. Along with his wife, he has maintained the Dean Trail on Camel’s Hump for 25 years. For the last two years they have also teamed up to volunteer at Barnes Camp and in the fall of 2015, he was appointed GMC’s Budget & Finance Committee.

In 2015, he and his wife finished their second section End-to-End trek of The Long Trail. He is also a member of the New England 4,000’ Footer Club and only has 6 peaks to finish the New England 100 Highest list.

He graduated from Johnson State College and has 2 sons.